Maria Michta is locked in. After winning her fourth straight indoor race walk title in March, Michta equaled that feat by winning her fourth consecutive USA Outdoor Track & Field Championship Saturday at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Olympian and 2004 Sachem alum, finished in 1:37:34.46, slightly off her season best of 1:35:38, which she hit during the Pan American Race Walk Cup Trials in March.
“Coming off the Olympic year, everyone feels like they have a lot of pressure and that definitely was the case with me,” Michta said in a Q&A on the U.S. Track & Field website. “We had this little training camp in December and it wasn’t about defending title, they told us to think of it as capturing another title.
“That’s what I went for. My goal was just to make the world team. It’s such a special feeling when you get your USA uniform and you get to try it on and wear it. To have achieved that today by winning the title means so much.”
The next Olympic Games aren’t until 2016 in Rio, but it’s never too early to think about the big picture.
“I have my eyes set on the American record in Rio,” Michta said. “Who knows, every time I train with [my coach] Tim [Seaman] it feels like I PR. I take a minute to two minutes off. I’m at 1:32:27 right now, why not think about sub 1:30. It’s a little scary to think about right now, but in three years who knows. I’m not going to put a limit on my potential.”
VIDEO: Watch Michta talk about her win at the U.S. Outdoor Nationals
Some Maria Michta highlights
- 2012 London Olympics: Finished 29th overall with U.S. record in 20k
- Four-time USA Outdoor 20 km RW champion – 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
- Four-time USA Indoor 3,000m RW champion – 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
- 2005 Pan Am Race Walking Cup 10 km runner-up
- 2005 Pan Am Games 10 km RW bronze medalist
- 2004 USA Junior Outdoor 10 km RW bronze medalist
- 2003 USA Junior Outdoor 10 km RW silver medalist
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro